Stapling machine



13, 1964 s. KOHEN 3,144,653

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,ll'llllll l I i 4 Zp-muun I, l o

v INVENTOR.

g3 SHELDON KOHEN JFJ- i 34 BY ,9. ma M ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 5.1. KOHEN 3,144,653.

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

SHELDON KOHEN il W M A T TORNEV Aug. 18, 1964 s. I. KOHEN 3,144,653

' STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR SHELDON KOHEN imam M A TTORNEV United States Patent O f 3,144,653 STAPLING MACHINE Sheldon I. Kohen, Flushing, N.Y., assignor to Swingline Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 224,734 8 Claims. (Cl. 1-3) This invention relates to a stapling machine containing a number of novel features which will be summarized seriatim. These novel features, while they all cooperate to produce a stapling machine of extremely fine function, appearance, and operation, may be separately employed and, in such event, will produce such improvement as will be associated with the feature. For this reason a number of such novel features are claimed both separately and in combination.

The novel features of the stapling machine of this invention may be briefly summarized as follows:

(1) The cap of the stapling machine is normally held away from the magazine cover by means of a pair of curved leaf springs rather than the conventional single spring which is nonnally employed. Thus the device is smoother in operation and, if one spring should fail, the device will not be rendered inoperative.

(2) The driver blade of the stapling machine of this invention, which is the conventional bent driver, has its securing portion overlying the front portion of the magazine forward of the staple discharge opening rather than rearward as is provided in conventional machines. This provides considerably more space within the machine than can be provided conventionally.

(3) The top member which overlies the cap is preferably made in two portions which are adjacent one another. One of the portions can be made of a hard material such as metal while the other portion can be made of a flexible material. This provides ease in assembly as well as excellent appearance.

(4) The front portion of the top member may be provided with an opening therewithin and backing means behind the opening. A curved insert may then be disposed within the opening abutting the backing means and having securing means holding the insert in position. Thus a trademark or other indicia can be easily provided upon the stapling machine. Also a backing plate may be provided behind the indicia to compensate for tolerance variations.

(5 Where a portion of the top member is made of flexible material it can be easily assembled over the cap by providing a pair of inwardly extending bosses upon the interior of the side portions of the top member. These bosses may then be snapped into position about the cap so as to provide for ease of assembly.

(6) A simple mechanism for assembling the device and holding one portion of the top member to the other can be provided by placing a holding portion upon one portion of the top member and disposing a curved leaf spring downwardly from the cap. An opening is then placed within the forward portion of the spring which is adapted to accommodate the holding portion of the top member.

The above objects are achieved by the structure which will be fully described in the instant specification and which represents the best mode known to the inventor of constructing his invention. Other objects and advantages of this invention may also be found by a careful-study of this specification and by the utilization of this disclosure. On the other hand it must also be pointed out that the specific constructions shown herein are for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications of this invention may be made and employed and would occur to one skilled in this art.

3,144,653 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a stapling machine made in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the interior construction of a portion of the stapling machine.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of a portion of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 1. The viewer, in this case, is looking at the machine across the line and in the direction of the arrows 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 1 but with the magazine cover and associated parts in partial open position and with the follower spring shown in diagrammatic form.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a portion of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 5 wherein the view er is looking across the line 6,6 of FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 5 wherein the viewer is looking across the line 7-7 of FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a stapling machine shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 88 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 2 taken alone line 99 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 6 taken along line 1010 of FIG. 2.

The form of the invention shown in the drawings will now be specifically described in detail.

The stapling machine 11 of this invention has a base 12, an anvil 13 thereupon, and a magazine 4. Hanger 15 is secured to base 12. Pin 18 pivotally connects cover 16, a cap 17 and magazine 14 with hanger 15. A follower 19 is slidably movable along rail 20 secured within magazine 14. A staple discharge opening 21 is provided within magazine 14.

A follower spring 22 is secured to follower 19 at 23 and is also secured to cap 17 at 24.

Spring 22 also passes over movable roller 25 which is slidably movable within a groove (not shown) within cover 16. Movable roller 25 bears lateral extensions 26; which are adapted to mesh with recesses 27. The staple feeding and discharge mechanism is fully shown in United States Patent No. 2,603,781 of Henry Ruskin and forms no part of this invention.

Magazine 14 bears an extension 28 secured thereto and forwardly projecting therefrom. Extension 28 has an inwardly offset front portion 29.

Cover 16 is formed with a pair of spaced portions 30 and 31. Cap 17 is formed with opposite downwardly extending side portions 52 and bears downwardly extending leaf springs 32 and 33 which are spaced from one another and are secured to cap 17 by rivets 34. Springs 32 and 33 bear against the top of portions 30 and 31 of cover 16 and normally hold cover 16 away from cap 17. Cap 17 also bears driver blade 35 which in turn has a driving portion 36 and a securing portion 37. Securing portion 37 of driver blade 35 is preferably at right angles to driving portion 36 and is secured to cap 17 by rivets 38. Securing portion 37 of driver blade 35 normally overlies portion 28 of magazine 14 and is forward of staple discharge opening 21.

An additional curved leaf spring 39 is also secured to cap 17 by means of one of the rivets 38 and is formed with an opening 40 within its forward portion. The adjacent sides 46 about opening 40 are upwardly curved.

A top member 41 overlies cap 17 and is formed with a first portion 42 and a second portion 43 which are adjacent one another. Portion 42 of top member 41 is preferably made of flexible material (such as rubber base styrene plastic) and bears a pair of opposite side portions 44. Each of portions 44 bear an inwardly extending boss 45 upon the interior thereof upon the portions of sides 44 that normally extend below the opposite adjacent sides 52 of cap 17.

Portion 43 of top member 41 is preferably made of metal and is provided with an opening 47 at its forward portion thereof and has backing means (which may consist of a ridge of smaller diameter than opening 47) 4S thereupon. A curved insert 49, which may bear indicia of various types, abuts backing means 48 and is disposed therebehind. Portion 43 of top member 41 also has a holding portion 50 thereupon which is adapted to fit within recess 40 within spring 39. An additional backing plate 51 (FIG. 9) may also be provided behind insert 49 so that any changes for tolerances can be taken up.

With the foregoing specific description the operation of this invention may now be explained.

The assembly of this invention from the component parts is conventional except with respect to assembly of the top member to the cap. This will therefore be specifically explained.

After the remaining parts of the stapling machine are put together the first portion 42 of top member 41 is placed into position above cap 17 and sides 44 pulled apart so that bosses 45 slide over the adjacent sides 52 of cap 17. When the pressure is released bosses 45 abut sides 52 as shown in FIG. and the part is firmly held in position. Second portion 43 of top member 41 is then obtained and insert 49 and backing plate 51 inserted rearwardly into opening 47. Portion 43 is then slid rearwardly along cap 17 until holding portion 50 abuts opening 40 and snaps into position thereby firmly positioning the part in place.

The operation of the stapling machine of this invention by the operator is conventional and need not be described. However it is pointed out that the inwardly offset construction of the forward portion of the magazine permits closer inspection of the point at which the staple is to be inserted into the work than that permitted by a conventional form of magazine.

I claim:

1. A stapling machine comprising a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base, said magazine having an inwardly offset front portion and provided with a substantially vertical staple discharge opening therewithin; a spring loaded follower within said magazine, an openable cover having oppositely disposed spaced side portions normally overlying said magazine and pivotally connected thereto, a cap overlying said cover and pivotally connected thereto, a pair of first spaced leaf spring members secured to said cap normally holding said cap away from said cover, each of said spring members abutting an opposite side portion of said cover, a driver blade secured to said cap, said driver blade having a driving portion adapted to move within the staple discharge opening within said magazine and a securing portion at substantially right angles to said driving portion, the securing portion of said driver blade normally overlying the offset front portion of said magazine and forward of said staple discharge opening, a downwardly extending second curved leaf spring member secured to said cap adjacent the securing portion of said driver blade, said spring provided with an opening within its forward portion, a top member overlying said cap, said top member having separate first and second portions adjacent one another, the first portion of said cap being made of flexible material and having a pair of side members straddling the adjacent side portions of said cap and extending therebeneath, an inwardly extending boss upon the interior of each of the extending portions of said side members, the second portion of said top member having an opening at its forward portion and backing means behind said opening, a curved insert member larger than said opening normally compressibly disposed between said opening and said backing means, said second portion of said top member also having an intermediate holding portion normally secured within the opening within said second curved leaf spring member.

2. A stapling machine comprising a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base, provided with a substantially vertical staple discharge opening therewithin; a spring loaded follower within said magazine, an openable cover having oppositely disposed spaced side portions normally overlying said magazine and pivotally connected thereto, a cap overlying said cover and pivotally connected thereto, a pair of first spaced leaf spring members secured to said cap normally holding said cap away from said cover, each of said spring members abutting an opposite side portion of said cover, a driver blade secured to said cap, said driver blade having a driving portion adapted to move within the staple discharge opening within said magazine and a securing portion at substantially right angles to said driving portion, the securing portion of said driver blade normally overlying said magazine and forward of said staple discharge opening, a downwardly extending second curved leaf spring member secured to said cap adjacent the securing portion of said driver blade, said spring provided with an opening within its forward portion, a top member overlying said cap, said top member having separate first and second portions adjacent one another, said first portion of said cap being made of flexible material having a pair of side members straddling the adjacent side portions of said cap and extending therebeneath, an inwardly extending boss upon the interior of each of the extending portions of said side members, the second portion of said top member having an opening at its forward portion and backing means behind said opening, a curved insert member larger than said opening normally compressibly disposed between said opening and said backing means, said second portion of said top member also having an intermediate holding portion normally secured within the opening within said second curved leaf spring member.

3. In a stapling machine having a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base provided with a staple discharge opening therewithin, a spring loaded follower within said magazine, an openable cover normally overlying said magazine having a pair of oppositely disposed spaced side portions and pivotally connected thereto, the improvements which comprise a pair of first spaced leaf spring members secured to said cap normally holding said cap away from said cover, each of said spring members abutting an opposite side portion of said cover, a driver blade secured to said cap, said driver blade having a driving portion adapted to fit within the staple discharge opening within said magazine and a securing portion at substantially right angles to said driving portion, the securing portion of said driver blade normally overlying the offset front portion of said magazine and ahead of said staple discharge opening, a downwardly extending second curved leaf spring member secured to said cap adjacent the securing portion of said driver blade, said spring provided with an opening within its forward portion, a top member overlying said cap, said top member having separate first and second portions adjacent one another, said first portion of said cap being made of flexible material having a pair of side members straddling the adjacent side portions of said cap and extending therebeneath, an inwardly extending boss upon the interior of each of the extending portions of said side members, the second portion of said top member having an opening at its forward portion, a backing plate behind said opening, a curved insert member larger than said opening normally compressibly disposed between said opening and said backing plate, said second portion of said top member also having an intermediate holding portion normally secured within the opening within said second curved leaf spring member.

4. In a stapling machine having a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base, a spring loaded follower within said magazine, an openable cover normally overlying said magazine having spaced opposite side portions and pivotally connected thereto, and a cap overlying said cover and pivotally connected thereto, the improvements which comprise an inwardly offset front portion upon said magazine provided with a substantially vertical staple discharge opening therewithin, a pair of first leaf spring members secured to said cap normally holding said cap away from said cover, each of said spring members abutting an opposite side portion of said cover, a driver blade secured to said cap, said driver blade having a driving portion adapted to move within the staple discharge opening within said magazine and a securing portion at substantially right angles to said driving portion, the securing portion of said driver blade normally overlying the olfset front portion of said magazine and forward of said staple discharge opening, a downwardly extending second curved leaf spring member secured to said cap adjacent the securing portion of said driver blade, said spring provided with an opening within its forward portion, a top member overlying said cap, said top member having separate first and second portions adjacent one another, said first portion of said cap being made of flexible material having a pair of side members straddling the adjacent side portions of said cap and extending therebeneath, an inwardly extending boss upon the interior of each of the extending portions of said side members, the second portion of said top member having an opening at its forward portion, a backing plate behind said opening, a curved insert member larger than said opening normally compressibly disposed between said opening and said backing plate, said second portion of said top member also having an intermediate holding portion normally secured within the opening within said second curved leaf spring member.

5. In a stapling machine having a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base provided with a staple discharge opening therewithin, an openable cover normally overlying said magazine and pivotally connected thereto, a cap overlying said cover and pivotally connected thereto, and a driver blade secured to said cap and movable within said staple discharge opening, the improvements which comprise a top member overlying and secured to said cap, said top member being provided with an opening at its forward portion and backing means behind the opening, an insert abutting said backing means, and means holding said insert against said backing means.

6. In a stapling machine having a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base provided with a staple discharge opening therewithin, an openable cover normally overlying said magazine and pivotally connected thereto, a cap overlying said cover and pivotally connected thereto, and a driver blade secured to said cap and movable within said staple discharge opening, the improvements which comprise a top member overlying and secured to said cap having first and second portions adjacent each other, the second portion of said top member also having a holding portion thereupon; a downwardly extending curved leaf spring secured to said cap, said spring provided with an opening within its forward portion adapted to accommodate the holding portion of said second portion of said top member.

7. In a stapling machine having a base, an anvil upon said base, a magazine pivotally connected to said base provided with a staple discharge opening therewithin, an openable cover normally overlying said magazine and pivotally connected thereto, a cap overlying said cover and pivotally connected thereto, and a driver blade secured to said cap and movable within said staple discharge opening, the improvements which comprise a top member overlying said cap having first and second portions adjacent each other, the second portion of said top member being provided with an opening at its forward portion and backing means behind said opening, an insert within said opening abutting said backing means, said second portion also having a holding portion thereupon; a downwardly extending curved leaf spring secured to said cap, said spring provided with an opening within its forward portion adapted to accommodate the holding portion of said second portion of said top member.

8. Indicia supporting mechanism for a stapling machine comprising an indicia support provided with an opening therewithin, through which indicia may be dis played, a backing support about said opening, and a backing plate adapted to fit behind the indicia displayed Within said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 187,627 Kent Apr. 5, 1960 2,445,180 Maynard July 13, 1948 2,717,382 Ruskin Sept. 13, 1955 2,832,959 Pankonin May 6, 1958 

1. A STAPLING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE, AN ANVIL UPON SAID BASE, A MAGAZINE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BASE, SAID MAGAZINE HAVING AN INWARDLY OFFSET FRONT PORTION AND PROVIDED WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STAPLE DISCHARGE OPENING THEREWITHIN; A SPRING LOADED FOLLOWER WITHIN SAID MAGAZINE, AN OPENABLE COVER HAVING OPPOSITELY DISPOSED SPACED SIDE PORTIONS NORMALLY OVERLYING SAID MAGAZINE AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED THERETO, A CAP OVERLYING SAID COVER AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED THERETO, A PAIR OF FIRST SPACED LEAF SPRING MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID CAP NORMALLY HOLDING SAID CAP AWAY FROM SAID COVER, EACH OF SAID SPRING MEMBERS ABUTTING AN OPPOSITE SIDE PORTION OF SAID COVER, A DRIVER BLADE SECURED TO SAID CAP, SAID DRIVER BLADE HAVING A DRIVING PORTION ADAPTED TO MOVE WITHIN THE STAPLE DISCHARGE OPENING WITHIN SAID MAGAZINE AND A SECURING PORTION AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID DRIVING PORTION, THE SECURING PORTION OF SAID DRIVER BLADE NORMALLY OVERLYING THE OFFSET FRONT PORTION OF SAID MAGAZINE AND FORWARD OF SAID STAPLE DISCHARGE OPENING, A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SECOND CURVED LEAF SPRING MEMBER SECURED TO SAID CAP ADJACENT THE SECURING PORTION OF SAID DRIVER BLADE, SAID SPRING PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING WITHIN ITS FORWARD PORTION, A TOP MEMBER OVERLYING SAID CAP, SAID TOP MEMBER HAVING SEPARATE FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER, THE FIRST PORTION OF SAID CAP BEING MADE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE MEMBERS STRADDLING THE ADJACENT SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID CAP AND EXTENDING THEREBENEATH, AN INWARDLY EXTENDING BOSS UPON THE INTERIOR OF EACH OF THE EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS, THE SECOND PORTION OF SAID TOP MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING AT ITS FORWARD PORTION AND BACKING MEANS BEHIND SAID OPENING, A CURVED INSERT MEMBER LARGER THAN SAID OPENING NORMALLY COMPRESSIBLY DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID OPENING AND SAID BACKING MEANS, SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID TOP MEMBER ALSO HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE HOLDING PORTION NORMALLY SECURED WITHIN THE OPENING WITHIN SAID SECOND CURVED LEAF SPRING MEMBER. 